Yeah man, I'm so excited! This team will run like K's Olympic squads -- no true back-to-the-basket post man, but tons of interchangeable parts, ready to adapt to whatever the game dictates. During most of practice, they pressed full-court with all 5 players the entire time, immediately after each made basket.

This season is going to be a blur! We will play like an NBA team, with NBA talent. Ready for a HUGE 2013-14 season!

— Posted by BlueDevils00

This season is going to be a blur! We will play like an NBA team, with NBA talent. Ready for a HUGE 2013-14 season!

RolOlOlforoflOLoMBAO!!!!

Does this guy ever predict ANYTHING right? LOLz

#WhenThreadsAttack

— Posted by ClassyHill

Had to report JJ for a personal attack.

— Posted by KT will not be censored

You poor thing bless your heart. There has to actually be a personal attack there for the mods to do anything.

If he doesn't want other posters commenting on his posts, he should probably elect not to make any more posts.

Yeah man, I'm so excited! This team will run like K's Olympic squads -- no true back-to-the-basket post man, but tons of interchangeable parts, ready to adapt to whatever the game dictates. During most of practice, they pressed full-court with all 5 players the entire time, immediately after each made basket.

This season is going to be a blur! We will play like an NBA team, with NBA talent. Ready for a HUGE 2013-14 season!

— Posted by BlueDevils00

This season is going to be a blur! We will play like an NBA team, with NBA talent. Ready for a HUGE 2013-14 season!

Yeah man, I'm so excited! This team will run like K's Olympic squads -- no true back-to-the-basket post man, but tons of interchangeable parts, ready to adapt to whatever the game dictates. During most of practice, they pressed full-court with all 5 players the entire time, immediately after each made basket.

This season is going to be a blur! We will play like an NBA team, with NBA talent. Ready for a HUGE 2013-14 season!

— Posted by BlueDevils00

This season is going to be a blur! We will play like an NBA team, with NBA talent. Ready for a HUGE 2013-14 season!RolOlOlforoflOLoMBAO!!!!Does this guy ever predict ANYTHING right? LOLz

Unfortunately, the only buzz unc baskeball is getting this offseason is from PJs bag, meanwhile, the blue devils will be fielding one of the top 3 teams in the country and the analysts can't say enough good things about them.

Great to hear everyone is coming along so well, and with a little luck they can avoid the injury bug this season. Ikeep hearing pundits say that the five spot will be our achilles, but I ddon't realy see that. Between Jabari, Jefferson, Hairston and Marshal, I think they will be better on the boards then they have been in years.

Yeah, you don't need a dominant big man anymore to succeed. As long as you have a 4 on the floor that can hold down the post and rebound. Just look at what the Heat have done over the last two years.

— Posted by 903 sing Terry Watson sing

Great point. I read an article that said this Duke team might mirror what the Heat have done recently. Yeah, you're gonna get beat up on the inside sometimes, but McGary and those big men will also have to defend Jabari on the perimeter... which will be hilarious.

That lineup may seem small but in reality Hood and Jefferson are 6'8&quot; and Parker is 6'9&quot;, all are strong and play sound defense. Rebounding should not be an issue either-- I was extremely impressed with Jefferson and Parker's rebounding at practice, they were all over the boards and got the outlet pass out quick to Cook for instant fast breaks (Cook looks lightning quick, a 1-man fast break).

Last year I was one of the main people asking why Coach K wasn't playing MP3 or Murph more... after 2 hours of practice, I see exactly why. They just aren't confident in themselves yet and it shows.

Cook, Sulaimon, Hood, Parker, Jefferson starting.Dawkins, Thornton, Hairston off the bench.Jones, MP3, Ojeleye, Murphy play sparingly. Jones and MP3 have the ability to play more with specific roles (Jones as a floor-stretcher and shooter, MP3 as a defensive/rebounding presence against elite big men).

Still have hopes for Marshall to make a surge about mid-season when he gets rid of the layoff rust. Did he seem to be running/jumping well on that repaired foot?

— Posted by seedofdoubt

Yeah, he was moving around very well and soared over 2 guys for an amazing dunk in the lane at one point. He just looks rusty -- he lacks a go-to move in the post, his footwork needs to be improved, he fouls too much on defense, and lacks confidence in his shot around the rim.

He has all the physical tools to end up being a very good Center at Duke (this year or at very least sometime in the next 3 years), but right now I understand why Coach K hasn't been playing him very much.

Honestly, he reminds me of Miles Plumlee during his junior/senior years. He will make incredible dunks and block shots out of nowhere, but doesn't have a consistent post-up game and is slightly out of control.

Still have hopes for Marshall to make a surge about mid-season when he gets rid of the layoff rust. Did he seem to be running/jumping well on that repaired foot?

— Posted by seedofdoubt

Yeah, he was moving around very well and soared over 2 guys for an amazing dunk in the lane at one point. He just looks rusty -- he lacks a go-to move in the post, his footwork needs to be improved, he fouls too much on defense, and lacks confidence in his shot around the rim.

He has all the physical tools to end up being a very good Center at Duke (this year or at very least sometime in the next 3 years), but right now I understand why Coach K hasn't been playing him very much.

Honestly, he reminds me of Miles Plumlee during his junior/senior years. He will make incredible dunks and block shots out of nowhere, but doesn't have a consistent post-up game and is slightly out of control.

I probably didn't give Dawkins enough love in that first post. He looks like a changed player. His body is leaner and more defined than 2 years ago, and it showed in his quickness. His defense looked like it has improved drastically as well. I think Sheed ends up starting, but I would bet that Dawkins will still play 20min/game. Either in 3-guard sets, or as the SF with Parker/Hood as the big men. Dawkins looks like the player we always hoped he would be. The jumper is still true, but he's quicker and better defensively (which was his achilles heel in 2011.)

I have much less doubt about our post-defense and rebounding situation after seeing the boys practice. Jabari has the size of a college center (6'9" 245) with the strength and athleticism to match. He also has a keen sense for rebounding. Amile Jefferson is light years stronger than he was last year and it showed as well. He grabbed boards left and right, also altering and blocking shots along the way. Marshall will be an x-factor, but as of right now its tough to think he'll play more than maybe 10min/game. The bigs rotation will be Parker/Amile/Hairston with MP3 or even Hood as the 4th rotating player.

— Posted by BlueDevils00

Again, great information. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have always been a big fan of Dawkins. I guess his personal struggles have a lot to do with that. I would love to see him contribute and be a great sixth man. I agree that Sheed should start over him. Its nice to see we have many options this year.

I probably didn't give Dawkins enough love in that first post. He looks like a changed player. His body is leaner and more defined than 2 years ago, and it showed in his quickness. His defense looked like it has improved drastically as well. I think Sheed ends up starting, but I would bet that Dawkins will still play 20min/game. Either in 3-guard sets, or as the SF with Parker/Hood as the big men. Dawkins looks like the player we always hoped he would be. The jumper is still true, but he's quicker and better defensively (which was his achilles heel in 2011.)

I have much less doubt about our post-defense and rebounding situation after seeing the boys practice. Jabari has the size of a college center (6'9&quot; 245) with the strength and athleticism to match. He also has a keen sense for rebounding. Amile Jefferson is light years stronger than he was last year and it showed as well. He grabbed boards left and right, also altering and blocking shots along the way. Marshall will be an x-factor, but as of right now its tough to think he'll play more than maybe 10min/game. The bigs rotation will be Parker/Amile/Hairston with MP3 or even Hood as the 4th rotating player.

Yeah I think we will be running up and down non-stop. They were putting on a 5-man full-court press throughout practice, so I think they will try to dictate the pace of the game on both ends of the floor.

— Posted by BlueDevils00

Very nice, glad to hear it. I hope we are able to flex our muscle on both ends and go deep in the tourney.

Yeah I think we will be running up and down non-stop. They were putting on a 5-man full-court press throughout practice, so I think they will try to dictate the pace of the game on both ends of the floor.

Great information and thanks for providing some insight on the open practice. I planned on going but family weekend at UNC-W prevented me from going. Very hyped about this year. I hope the team as a whole can stay healthy and gel. Looking forward to the return of Dawkins and I hope he can become productive. Can't wait to see Parker and Hood in action. You said Hood cramped up....are there any health concerns moving forward for him or does he seem to be completely ready for full throttle?

— Posted by BluedevilLIFER

No concerns whatsoever. He was just stretching it out during the scrimmage portion, otherwise he was full-go.

After practice I asked him if he was OK and he said "yeah i'm good" without hesitation.

— Posted by BlueDevils00

Good to hear, looking forward to seeing how they all fit together. Would love to see an up-tempo offense this year.

Great information and thanks for providing some insight on the open practice. I planned on going but family weekend at UNC-W prevented me from going. Very hyped about this year. I hope the team as a whole can stay healthy and gel. Looking forward to the return of Dawkins and I hope he can become productive. Can't wait to see Parker and Hood in action. You said Hood cramped up....are there any health concerns moving forward for him or does he seem to be completely ready for full throttle?

— Posted by BluedevilLIFER

No concerns whatsoever. He was just stretching it out during the scrimmage portion, otherwise he was full-go.

After practice I asked him if he was OK and he said &quot;yeah i'm good&quot; without hesitation.

Great information and thanks for providing some insight on the open practice. I planned on going but family weekend at UNC-W prevented me from going. Very hyped about this year. I hope the team as a whole can stay healthy and gel. Looking forward to the return of Dawkins and I hope he can become productive. Can't wait to see Parker and Hood in action. You said Hood cramped up....are there any health concerns moving forward for him or does he seem to be completely ready for full throttle?

Yeah man, I'm so excited! This team will run like K's Olympic squads -- no true back-to-the-basket post man, but tons of interchangeable parts, ready to adapt to whatever the game dictates. During most of practice, they pressed full-court with all 5 players the entire time, immediately after each made basket.

This season is going to be a blur! We will play like an NBA team, with NBA talent. Ready for a HUGE 2013-14 season!